OUR SERVICES
Free legal advice
You can get free legal advice by calling the Elizabeth Evatt Community Legal Centre on (02) 4782 4155 or 1300 363 967 between 10am and 12noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Anyone who lives in the Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Oberon, Bathurst or surrounding areas can contact us for advice. If we can’t help you, we will always try to refer you to a service that can.
Our solicitors can provide free legal advice on most types of legal problems.
The most common areas of law we are asked about are:
- Family law (including de facto and same sex relationships)
- Domestic and family violence
- Victims compensation
- Child protection
- Debt and consumer matters
- Powers of attorney and guardianship orders
- Employment Discrimination
- Neighbour disputes
We do not give legal advice on business, tax, conveyancing, immigration or criminal matters.
Generally we can’t offer individual appointments or drop-in interviews and we don’t provide legal advice by email. However, if you have any special needs or requirements please let us know and we will do whatever we can to help.
Court support
Our Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme provides support, information, referrals and access to legal representation to women (and their children) experiencing domestic or family violence.
We provide a safe room at Katoomba Local Court on Wednesdays and at Lithgow Local Court on Thursdays (and other days if needed).
Education
We give talks and run workshops for the community on many aspects of the legal system. We also produce legal information resources that you can pick up or order from the Centre. see here
Law reform
We campaign to change and improve the law to make it more fair and accessible for everyone.
Community development
We aim to be responsive to the people of our community so we are always actively involved in local partnerships and projects with other organisations. see here
Outreach tenancy advice
Western Sydney Tenants’ Service provides an outreach service to tenants in the Blue Mountains once a month on Thursdays. To make an appointment phone 1800 625 956 or 4782 4759.
Family Relationship Centre
The Penrith Family Relationship Centre (FRC) auspiced by Relationships Australia offers a fortnightly outreach service on Wednesdays at the Legal Centre.
The FRC is the first point of contact for families wanting to improve their relationships. It also helps separating parents to resolve their family relationship issues and parenting arrangements. To book an appointment with a Family Adviser, or for more information about the FRC, call (02) 4720 4999.
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia provides a weekly counselling service at the Legal Centre on Fridays for individuals, couples and families in areas of family, relationship or social difficulties. They can also provide a range of specialist counselling services on issues such as family violence, communication skills, workplace issues, grief and loss, separation and divorce support counselling. Sessions are of 1hour duration and fees are charged on a sliding scale, dependent on family income.
To book a counselling appointment at the Legal Centre or for further information about the services of Relationships Australia, please call the Penrith office on 4728 4800.